Byron inches closer to Cup title chance with Martinsville pole

William Byron earned the first small victory of the weekend at Martinsville Speedway by grabbing the pole for Sunday’s elimination race.

Byron, approaching the race as a must-win situation, put down a lap of 98.185mph (19.286s). Although he is a two-time winner at Martinsville, it was Byron’s first pole win at the track.

“It’s nice, but it doesn’t count for anything yet,” Byron said of the pole win. “But it’s good. We prepared well coming here, and I feel pretty good about my race car. I think there are a few guys out there who are really good as well. It’s going good so far.”

Ty Gibbs qualified second with a lap of 98.175mph, Kyle Larson (P) third at 98.038mph, Joey Logano (P) fourth at 98.002mph and Denny Hamlin (P) fifth at 97.876mph.

Larson sits on the bubble going into Sunday’s race and would be the last driver to transfer into the title race. He has a 36-point advantage on Byron.

Kyle Busch qualified seventh at 97.850mph, Chase Elliott (P) eighth at 97.845mph, Chase Briscoe (P) ninth at 97.729mph and Austin Cindric 10th at 97.643mph.

Christopher Bell (P) was the first playoff driver who qualified outside the top 10, coming from the 12th position. Bell sits one point above Larson on the playoff grid. His gap on the cutline is 37 points.

The worst-qualifying playoff driver was Ryan Blaney, the defending race winner. Blaney, who is also in a must-win situation, qualified 31st.

Hamlin and Briscoe are the only two drivers who are locked into the championship race.

NEXT: The Xfinity 500 at 2 p.m. ET Sunday.

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